Benson is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 5,355. It was founded as a rail terminal for the area, and is located approximately 45 miles (72 km) east-southeast of the city of Tucson.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Benson ranks

All →

#16Most affordable in AZ #18Cheapest rent in AZ #14Most new homes in AZ All AZ rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code85602

Area code520

Living in Benson

Housing in Benson

$254K≈ same as a year ago Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Benson home is worth about $254,000, about the same as a year ago, 39% below the Arizona typical home.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market46

Sale-to-list98.9%

Sold in May9

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Benson

Full picture →

About one in 4 of Benson’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Tucson (22%), Phoenix (8%) and Sierra Vista (6%). Half commute less than 38 miles.

Tucson

22%

Phoenix

Sierra Vista

St. David

25%Work in townlive and work in Benson 38 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 2,199Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Benson →

Health in Benson

C⁺

Health Grade C+

Healthier than 36% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 76% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Arizona

4better than AZ·13worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 15 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits 1▲ 2▼ 1 close Care 3▲ 1▼ 3 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

11.3%Fewer binge drinkersAZ 15.3% · better 81.4%More adults treating high blood pressureAZ 73.9% · better 11.7%More adults with COPDAZ 6.6% · worse

Care nearby

Benson HospitalBenson · 3.7 mi · ER · rural critical access

Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. Benson Family Health CenterBenson · 3.8 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · part of Benson

DentalShortage · part of Benson

Mental healthShortage · part of Benson

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Benson · CMS · HRSAHealth in Benson →

Natural hazards in Benson

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 87% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🔥 Wildfire🌡️ Heat waves

1Does Benson flood?paid flood claims since 2022 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 12 declared for Cochise County

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Benson →

Climate in Benson

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Benson has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 94°, a January night drops to 34°, and about 1 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

63° / 34°Winter

79° / 46°Spring

94° / 65°Summer

80° / 50°Fall

How much snow does Benson get?About 1 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 15, with the last in spring around Mar 20.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.6° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Benson →

Schools in Benson

All Benson schools →

B⁺

School Grade B+

The public schools Benson’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 68% of Arizona’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#38Best public schoolsof 117 in AZ

DistrictBenson Unified School District (79226)Schools6

Benson Primary School BElementary · Grades PK–5 · 507 students Benson Middle School BMiddle · Grades 5–8 · 286 students Benson High School BHigh · Grades 9–12 · 402 students Benson Digital Learning Center C+High · Grades 9–12 · 41 students CTD - Benson High SchoolHigh · Grades 9–12 Benson Digital Learning Center Online A-Other · Grades K–12 · 51 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within AZ. Ratings are from neighbors.